Power system

Inactive Publication Date: 2007-05-03
CATERPILLAR INC
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] One disclosed embodiment relates to a power system that may include a prime mover, a transmission, and a fluid coupler having a selectively engageable lockup clutch. The fluid coupler may be drivingly connected between the prime mover and the transmission. Additionally, the power system may include a motor/generator drivingly connected to at least one of the prime mover and the transmission. The power system may also include power-system controls configured to execute a control method. The control method may include selecting one of a plurality of modes of operation of the power system. Additionally, the control method may include controlling the operating state of the lockup clutch dependent upon the mode of operation selected. The control method may also include controlling the operating state of the motor/generator dependent upon the mode of operation selected.
[0009] Another embodiment relates to a method of operating a power system of a mobile machine. The power system may have a prime mover, a transmission, and a fluid coupler. The fluid coupler may have a selectively engageable lockup clutch and may be drivingly connected between the prime mover and the transmission. The power system may further include a motor/generator drivingly connected to at least one of the prime mover and the transmission. The method of operating the power system of the mobile machine m

Problems solved by technology

For example, the '558 patent does not disclose any means of coordinating the operation of the motor generator and the lockup clutch.
As a result, the power transmission system of the '558 patent may fail to capitalize on opportunities to utilize the motor generator more effectively by controlling the lockup clutch in a manner that complements the operating state of the motor generator.
Thus, the power transmission system of the '558 patent may be unable to capitalize on circumstances in which it may be beneficial to operate the motor generator at a different speed than the engine.

Method used

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Embodiment Construction

[0014]FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a mobile machine 10 according to the present disclosure. Mobile machine 10 may include a power system 12 and an electrical system 13. Power system 12 may be configured to provide power for various tasks of mobile machine 10. For example, power system 12 may be configured to provide power to propel mobile machine 10, power to operate one or more implements (not shown) of mobile machine 10, and / or electrical power for use by electrical system 13. Electrical system 13 may be configured to utilize electricity to perform various tasks of mobile machine 10.

[0015] Power system 12 may include a prime mover 14, a fluid coupler 16, a motor / generator 18, a transmission 20, drive shafts 21, propulsion devices 22, and power-system controls 24. Prime mover 14 may be any type of device configured to produce power by rotating a rotary output member 26. For example, prime mover 14 may be a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous-fuel-driven engine, a t...

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Abstract

A power system includes a prime mover, a transmission, and a fluid coupler having a selectively engageable lockup clutch. The fluid coupler may be drivingly connected between the prime mover and the transmission. Additionally, the power system may include a motor / generator drivingly connected to at least one of the prime mover and the transmission. The power-system may also include power-system controls configured to execute a control method. The control method may include selecting one of a plurality of modes of operation of the power system. Additionally, the control method may include controlling the operating state of the lockup clutch dependent upon the mode of operation selected. The control method may also include controlling the operating state of the motor / generator dependent upon the mode of operation selected.

Description

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS [0001] This invention was made with Government support under the terms of Contract No. DE-FC26-04NT42258 awarded by the Department of Energy. The Government may have certain rights in this invention.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates to power systems and, more particularly, to power systems that include both a prime mover and a motor / generator. BACKGROUND [0003] Many machines include power systems configured to provide power to perform various tasks, such as propelling the machine. Many power systems include a prime mover configured to produce power by rotating a rotary output member and a transmission having a rotary input member drivingly connected to the rotary output member of the prime mover. Some power systems also include a motor / generator drivingly connected to the rotary output member of the prime mover and / or the rotary input member of the transmission. [0004] Some power systems include a fluid coupler, such as a torque converter, conne...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B60W10/02B60K6/40B60K6/48
CPCB60K6/40B60K6/48B60W10/02B60W10/026Y10T477/26B60W20/00B60W2540/04F16H61/143Y02T10/6221B60W10/08B60W2540/215Y02T10/62B60K2006/268B60W50/082B60W50/085B60W20/40B60W20/11
InventorHICKAM, CHRISTOPHER DALE
OwnerCATERPILLAR INC